Spotlight on Cowichan Bay

Spotlight on Cowichan Bay


Spotlight on Cowichan Bay

A picturesque little seaside village on the east coast of Vancouver Island, Cowichan Bay is clustered around the ocean in the Cowichan Valley, approximately halfway between the cities of Victoria and Nanaimo. Looking across the Bay, you can see the beautiful scenery of the area dominated by Mount Tzouhalem.

Cowichan Bay draws its name from a word in the Hul’q’umi’num language (“Quw’utsun”) which means “to warm one’s back in the sun”. The name came from a large rock formation on the side of Mount Tzouhalem said to resemble a frog basking in the sun.

Today, the village is affectionately known to its 2,800 residents and Valley locals as “Cow Bay”.

A Brief History

Cowichan Bay has a rich history dating back many thousands of years, and was originally home to Cowichan First Nations  tribes including the Knepisen, Comiekan, Clem Clemluts and Kipalus totalling somewhere between 4,000 and 5,000 members. These native peoples sustained themselves by harvesting salmon and shellfish found in the area. A rare soapstone bowl was discovered in Cowichan Bay in the late 1800s. Now part of the British Museum’s collection, the bowl is believed to come from the Marpole Culture (400 BCE-400 AD) and is one of only about 50 ever found.

Originally located at the flats at the top of Cowichan Bay, the village was the first settlement north of Victoria, starting in the 1850s as a Hudson’s Bay Company fort.

The first Europeans arrived in 1862 on the HMS Hecate. They settled Cowichan Bay to farm and trap, to log the rich forest land, and to fish for salmon and herring. Fish harvested from Cowichan Bay were so abundant that they were shipped all over the world.

By 1900 Cowichan Bay was well established as the salmon capital of the world, offering fishing and sailing. For landlubbers, Cow Bay is home to the second oldest grass tennis courts in the world (after Wimbledon) and the oldest in Canada!

Famous Residents

James Dunsmuir – Former Premier and Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia, James Dunsmuir was part of the famous coal mining family. After his retirement in 1909, he moved into the baronial mansion he built called Hatley Castle. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and had a fishing lodge in Cowichan Bay where he passed away in 1920.

Robert William Service – Known as the “Bard of the Yukon”, Robert Service was a poet and writer of the Yukon Gold Rush. He worked as a labourer on several farms in Cowichan Bay between 1896 and 1903.

Arthur Vickers – A renowned First Nations artist and story teller, Arthur Vickers creates highly sought after and internationally collected art inspired by his heritage and the natural beauty of the seaside communities he loves. The Arthur Vickers Gallery can be found on Cowichan Bay Road.

Cowichan Bay Today

Cowichan Bay is still a flourishing fishing community, so you can watch the boats come in to harbour bringing in their daily catch. The village also has a thriving arts and crafts scene, with numerous galleries, studios, and shops showcasing the work of local artists and artisans. Everything from handmade pottery and jewelry to one-of-a-kind paintings and sculptures are there to be discovered.

Take a stroll along the boardwalk, stop for a coffee or a meal, and soak up the atmosphere of this lovely seaside village. Feeling more adventurous? There’s whale watching and kayak rentals to get you out on the Bay.

The Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre displays a collection of historic boats and exhibits showcasing the traditions of the local fishermen. You can take a guided tour and watch demonstrations of traditional boat-building techniques.

Cowichan Bay is also home to a number of parks and nature reserves. Hecate Park is as a popular picnic and beach area for locals. The park has a boat launch for day fishing or cruising the Bay.

Just a short drive from the village is the Cowichan River Provincial Park, which offers hiking trails, picnic areas, and swimming spots along the river. In the park, the Cowichan River Footpath winds 20 km through dense Douglas Fir and Western Hemlock Forest following the river to Skutz Falls.

Seasonal Highlights

Summer is festival season in Cow Bay! The 35th Annual Wooden Boat Festival in July features wooden boats on display, boat races, local music, kid’s fishing derby, and a clam chowder contest.

August brings us the Cowichan Valley Wine Festival, featuring tastings and tours of the region’s best wineries, including Cow Bay’s Rocky Creek Winery, and the Cowichan Bay Regatta which is the second largest regatta on Canada’s West Coast.

Fall brings the salmon back on their way to their spawning grounds in the Cowichan and Koksilah Rivers and the sea lions are not far behind! Come into Cowichan Bay and see them haul themselves out onto the floating breakwater near the Government Dock. It’s quite a spectacle! Bald eagles, seals, and heron are frequent visitors to the Bay.

Whether you’re a local or a tourist, Cowichan Bay is a must-visit destination in the Cowichan Valley.

Sunfest 2023

Sunfest 2023

Sunfest 2023

It’s the ultimate celebration of country music, and it’s back at Laketown Ranch from Thursday, August 3 through Sunday, August 6, 2023!

The four-day music festival held in the picturesque town of Lake Cowichan is sure to draw country music devotees and those who want to enjoy the mid summer party atmosphere that comes with it. Over the course of the weekend, Sunfest performers expect to showcase their talents to an audience of some 40,000 fans.

History

Sunfest, first established in Florida in 1983 has become the the annual global music festival to experience. Drawing music lovers from far and wide, that first Sunfest put on an eclectic mix of performers that appealed to people of all musical tastes.

Every year since, the festival has expanded to cities throughout the United States and Canada, each a unique reflection of its location and fans.

In the Cowichan Valley, Sunfest was first showcased at Providence Farm in 2000. It began as a one-night event but soon outgrew the Farm, and in 2004 it was moved to Avalon Acres on Herd Road in North Cowichan.

The festival organizers had to move the event yet again as demand increased beyond the space available at Avalon Acres. In 2010, after taking a year off to develop a plan for a much larger festival event at the Cowichan Exhibition Grounds, Sunfest was once again back on, delighting the Valley’s country music fans.

In 2015 Sunfest organizers announced the purchase of land at Meade Creek creating a permanent venue at Laketown Ranch which has hosted the festival ever since.

Lineup

Sunfest is a star-studded affair with previous headliners including Darius Rucker and Randy Bachman, Eric Church and Toby Keith, and who can forget Carrie Underwood’s appearance or Keith Urban’s performance?

This year promises to be just as exciting! Here’s a taste of the talent on display over the weekend.

Jade Eagleson, Kenny Hess, and Bobby Wills will kick off the festivities on Thursday. Friday will showcase the talents of Lainey Wilson, Kameron Marlowe, and Willie Jones. Billy Currington and Lonestar will usher in the weekend on Saturday. As if this isn’t enough, Sunday’s performers include the incomparable Blake Shelton, along with High Valley, and Lindsay Ell.

For the full lineup, check the website.

Hot Tips

The Sunfest organizers want everyone to have a blast while keeping safe and healthy. So, bear in mind these hot tips:

  1. There’s a lot of people out there and the sun will likely be beating down on you. Take care of yourself! Watch for signs of sunstroke and wear a hat and sunscreen. Ask for help if you need it.
  2. Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate! There are water stations throughout the site. The water is fresh and clear, a product of the natural aquifer located directly under Laketown Ranch.
  3. Yes, there are Beverage Gardens but don’t over indulge. You want this weekend to be memorable for all the right reasons!
  4. Sunfest is committed to principles of sustainability and responsibility. Laketown Ranch is a beautiful, pristine, natural environment. It is home to a variety of wildlife including herds of elk. Please remember to properly dispose of your waste. Garbage, recycling, and compost bins are provided. Leave no trace!

Transportation

Probably the biggest headache associated with attending a festival with this many other people is driving there and finding parking! Want to avoid the whole hassle? Me too!

Shuttle service is available to and from Youbou, Lake Cowichan and Honeymoon Bay through MyGo Tours and Transportation. The fee is $15 each way, and reservations are recommended. Sit back and relax. You’ll have a great time!

Sunfest is a testament to the power of music in bringing people together. It’s a celebration of music, creativity, and energy generated by the collective experience of music lovers from the Valley, the Island, and farther afield. This year’s festival is going to be epic! Don’t miss it!

 

Laketown Shakedown

Laketown Shakedown

Laketown Shakedown

This year’s Laketown Shakedown is from June 30 – July 2, 2023 in beautiful Youbou! Come see the fantastic lineup of artists at Laketown Ranch. Camp out or just come for the day.

At The Ranch

We provide two buses that shuttle to and from Laketown Ranch. (locally) We are located by the parking at the highway entrance.

The white bus is an 18 seater and the black one is a 14 seater.
We shuttle to Youbou, Lake Cowichan and Gordon Bay. Youbou has specific drop off points.

We do not shuttle to/ from other locations such as Duncan, Nanaimo, Victoria etc

MyGo Shuttle Bus

MyGo Shuttle Bus

CowichanTours 300x225 2

Cowichan Tours

Prices

Youbou as far as the bridge (firehall) is $15.
Past the bridge is $20.
We do not go past Cowan Road.

Lake Cowichan as far as Mesachie Lake is $15.
Past Mesachie is $20.
We do not go past Gordon Bay.

Prices are ONE WAY PER PERSON.

Contact

Text/Phone: 250.732.1120  (Phil)
Email: info@mygo.ca (Phil)

Reservations

Reservations (guaranteed seating) are by communicating with us in advance. Ask for Phil
Payment required in advance (credit card or etransfer).
Those people who pay in advance will have guaranteed pick up at an agreed upon time and place.

We stay at Laketown until 1:30am and may stay later based on volume.